Motorola's Xoom accessories: Buyer beware

By JR Raphael

Thinking about buying a Motorola Xoom? Before you head to the nearest retail store or Web site, let me offer a quick word of warning.

My caution isn't about the tablet, mind you, but about the Motorola-made accessories you might tack onto your purchase -- in particular, the official Motorola Xoom portfolio case, sold for $39.99 by most Xoom retailers.

At a glance, the case looks like the perfect fit for the first Android Honeycomb tablet; after all, it's made by the Xoom's own manufacturer and designed specifically to fit the device. The problem is that it's designed to fit a little too well.

I picked up a Xoom portfolio case last week and promptly slid my new tablet into its protective covering. As soon as I started maneuvering the Xoom in, I got a bad feeling. The fit felt far too tight, and the case's plastic material far too rough; this couldn't end well.

Turns out my instincts were right (though slightly too late): When I pulled the Xoom out of its case -- very carefully, I might add -- the case's hard plastic edges dinged up my brand new tablet. Did it affect the tablet's functionality? Of course not. But when you drop 800 bucks on a high-end piece of technology, the last thing you want is for it to be visually damaged within the first day -- as a result of a case made for and sold with it, at that.

Long story short: Unless you intend to put your tablet into its case and never take it back out, think twice before buying Motorola's Xoom portfolio case. I ended up getting a generic tablet sleeve from Body Glove for half the price. The Xoom slips in and out of it with ease and, most important, without damage; the sleeve's padding and zippered top keeps the tablet protected and safe from falling out. (And yes, I ended up getting Verizon to exchange my case-damaged Xoom for a new one -- but not without a very unpleasant 90-minute-long ordeal.)

Hold the Phone: There's More 

I wish I could say my Xoom accessory trouble ended there, but I also ran into trouble with one of Motorola's standard Xoom docks. This one was more of an incidental issue: The dock I got had a random defect; the back side of it, which presses directly against the back of the tablet, had a jagged edge. One exchange (albeit, another unpleasant and hassle-laden one) solved this issue; the replacement dock I received is defect-free and works like a charm. The original one, however, would have scratched up the back of the tablet with every single use.

If you're planning on picking up one of Motorola's Xoom docks, look at it carefully, even run your finger along the edges to make sure yours isn't in that same situation. The attention to detail that goes into manufacturing tablets clearly doesn't go into manufacturing accessories -- and one crappy case or deformed dock is all it takes to tarnish your new tablet within hours of getting it home.

More Motorola Xoom Coverage: 

• Motorola Xoom: The complete FAQ

• Verizon changes its mind: No more required data plan for Motorola Xoom

• How to make Android's Honeycomb browser load desktop -- not mobile -- Web sites 

JR Raphael writes about smartphones and other tasty technology. You can find him on Facebook, on Twitter, or at eSarcasm, his geek-humor getaway.

Article copyright 2011 JR Raphael. All rights reserved.